The veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right flank have remained stable and productive of no more than moderate injury to the lumbar spinal muscles with well-healed scars. The RO has granted secondary service-connection for strained spinal muscle in the lumbar region, which is evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The veteran's laparotomy scar and shell fragment wounds of the face and thorax are currently well-healed, non-disabling, and asymptomatic.
The deciding factor: The RO found that any added low back symptomatology was related to significant coexisting conditions rather than service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right flank (Muscle Group XX).
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right flank (Muscle Group XX), Strained spinal muscle in the lumbar region with retained foreign bodies
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- April 12, 2001
- Citation
- 0110692
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0110692.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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